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Moto blog

French Moto Website Anticipates Versys 1000 at EICMA 2011

Musings of a liter-size engined Kawasaki Versys have circulated the web for a few years now, as loyalists of the likable Versys 650, as well as displacement-driven riders waiting in the wings, have pondered the potential of a more powerful adventure bike from Kawasaki that’s in the same league as BMW’s R1200GS and Yamaha’s Super Tenere. Alas, nothing of the sort has ever left the lips of Kawasaki, let alone go into production. Recently, however, the French motorcycle website, Moto-net.com, has produced convincing images that appear like photos of a complete Versys 1000, including matching hard luggage.

Concept Motorcycles Galore

This concept Honda is the work of French designer Benoit Vignot. You can see this and other images by Vignot in a Core77.com blog post dated Oct. 21, 2011.

Yamaha, Honda Donate to Thailand Flood Relief Efforts

Honda and Yamaha announced relief aid for the people of Thailand affected by severe flooding that has swamped large parts of the country since late July. Yamaha and its Thai subsidiaries are donating a relief package worth about 30 million yen (US$390,000) including 3,000 life jackets. Yamaha is evaluating what items to provide including outboard motors.

EICMA 2011 Preview: 2012 Yamaha TMax – Scooterus Maximus [Video]

The 2011 EICMA show in Milan is just a few weeks away and from what we’ve seen from the manufacturers so far, it looks like the prevailing theme this year is the maxi-scooter. Honda will present its 700cc dual clutch transmission Integra scooter at EICMA, BMW announced it will unveil two new maxi-scooters in Milan, and Aprilia is rebadging an 850cc V-Twin Gilera scooter as the SRV 850. And now Yamaha is jumping into the fray with an update to its popular TMax.

Andrea Dovizioso Signs with Tech 3 Yamaha for 2012

The Tech 3 MotoGP team has reached a one-year agreement with Andrea Dovizioso, signing the Repsol Honda factory rider to take Colin Edwards’ place on the Yamaha satellite team in the 2012 season. Dovizioso will join the Tech 3 Yamaha team after three years with the Repsol Honda team. Despite currently holding onto the third overall spot on the 2011 championship points standings with five podium appearances and 13 top-five finishes in 15 races, Dovizioso found himself the odd man out with Honda which will stick with a two-man factory team of Casey Stoner and Dani Pedrosa with Marco Simoncelli riding a factory-supported Honda RC212V with the Gresini team.

Josh Hayes to Test Tech 3 Yamaha M1

Two-time AMA Superbike Champion Josh Hayes has been invited to test Colin Edwards’ Tech 3 Yamaha YZR-M1 at the MotoGP post-season test. Tech 3 principal Herve Poncharal told MCN Hayes will get to ride a few laps on the Yamaha M1 Nov. 7 at the end of season test at Spain’s Valencia circuit.

Stoner explains the tank slapper

Casey Stoner looked all set to win at Motegi, after translating his pole position into an early race-lead. But coming over the crest on the back straight his bike momentarily lost control in a tank slapper. Regaining composure the championship leader was forced to pump his brakes to get the pads back in place, with the rear-wheel bouncing in the air he ran out of time and space to make the 90 degree right hander and was forced to run into the gravel.

2011 World Supersport Champion Chaz Davies

Chaz Davies has captured the 2011 Supersport World Championship, completing a triumphant return to the series for Yamaha. Davies, the 2008 Daytona 200 winner, finished the Magny-Cours round in sixth place, giving him an insurmountable 35-point lead over Hannspree Ten Kate Honda‘s Fabien Foret with one race remaining. The championship comes in Yamaha‘s return from a one-year absence from the series.

2011 World Superbike Champion Carlos Checa

Carlos Checa has won the 2011 World Superbike Championship and secured Ducati its 17th manufacturer title. The Althea Ducati rider secured the title with a win in Race One of the Oct. 2 Magny-Cours round in France, and then captured the manufacturer title with another win in Race Two.

Yamaha Motor USA to Swallow Up Yamaha Canada

Yamaha’s board of directors has voted in transfer all shares of its Canadian subsidiary to its American subsidiary, a move which would give Yamaha Motor U.S.A. responsibility over the entire North American market. The proposed transfer, set to begin in December,  will make Yamaha Motor Canada a subsidiary of its American counterpart.